To keep your motorcycle's engine running smoothly and improve its longevity, regular oil changes are essential, but with the right oil to suit your engine, motorcycle use and climatic conditions.
What is motorcycle engine oil used for?
Motor oil is essential for four main reasons:
1) Friction
First and foremost, oil reduces friction between the engine's internal metal parts. By limiting friction, you save on parts that wear less, and your engine reduces heat loss, so you gain in power.
2 Cooling
Another function of engine oil is to keep parts cool. In an internal-combustion engine, 30% of energy is released as heat during the explosion process of the air-fuel mixture, and it's the oil that takes care of evacuating some of this heat.
3 Cleaning
Engine oil cleans engine parts and protects them from oxidation. It removes impurities and dust resulting from friction, which end up in the oil filter or are completely removed when the oil is changed.
4. sealing
Engine oil seals the gaps between engine components. It is therefore responsible for sealing the piston-cylinder assembly in particular.
VISCOSITY INDEX:
The viscosity index is present on all oil cans, whatever the brand.
Example: "10w40" "5w40″...
The first number indicates the viscosity index of the engine oil when cold. Viscosity refers to the ability of a liquid to flow. An oil with a high viscosity appears thick and flows slowly. This number is preceded by the letters SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), from SAE 0 (very fluid) to SAE 60 (very thick).
An oil rated 0W remains liquid down to -35°C! It will be more effective for lubricating an engine in cold weather.
The second number indicates the lubrication performance index at high temperatures (measured at 100°C). This number indicates the oil's resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Viscosity is a very important factor: it's the oil's ability to flow. The lower the viscosity index, the faster the oil flows; the higher the viscosity index, the thicker and slower the oil flows.
The viscosity index was determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, an American association of automotive engineers. The SAE ranges from 0 for the most fluid to 60 for the thickest.
To this denomination is added the precision for winter with the W of "winter" which determines the cold viscosity calculated when the temperature is - 18° C. The lower the number, the more suitable it is for cold weather. The number after the W indicates the hot viscosity, i.e. resistance to high temperatures and heavy stress. The higher the number, the lower the risk of oil film breakage.
EXAMPLE :
In France, manufacturers generally recommend SAE 10W40 viscosity index oils for today's motorcycles.
A viscosity of 10 indicates that, from engine start-up, it will quickly reach the areas that need lubrication and, being fluid, will therefore offer less resistance to moving parts, even when cold.
The W indicates a winter index, meaning that the viscosity has been calculated at -18°C.
However, when warm, it has the same viscosity as an oil rated SAE 40 (viscosity measured at +100°C).
GOOD TO KNOW :
It can be very useful, even necessary, to replace a 10W40 usually used, with a 5W40 for worn engines with larger clearances.
CHOOSE ACCORDING TO CLIMATE :
use in low temperatures, from -20°C to +20°C: SAE grade 5W30 or over 30
use in temperate climates, from -10°C to +30°C: SAE grade 10W40
use in temperate climates, from 0°C to +35°C: SAE grade 15W40 or 20W40
use in warm climates, from 0°C to 50°C: SAE grade 15W50
use in all temperatures from -20°C: SAE grade 5W50 or 10W50.
How to choose the right viscosity index?
The recommended viscosity index under standard conditions is specified for each engine. It also depends on geographical conditions. Climatic differences between the north and south of France are not negligible, and you need to think about extreme periods, in either direction. Hot weather is particularly hard on engine parts, especially if you're driving in town at low speed and with a lot of stopping time at red lights.
The recommended grade corresponds to standard use, and you need to adapt it to the frequency of use of your motorcycle, the state of wear of your engine and your riding style. For example, an engine that is already worn will have greater clearances and will need a slightly more viscous oil.
If you use an oil that is not at all suited to your engine, you run the risk of accelerating wear. Oil that's too thick and flows too slowly will take longer to reach the parts furthest from the oil pump, and parts like the camshaft bearings in an overhead camshaft engine will suffer and wear prematurely.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OIL :
Engine oil: Synthetic oils (5w30 and 5w40)
These two oils are ideal for cold-starting motorcycles. They are ideally suited to engines that are subject to heavy use, i.e. sporty driving, but also city driving, which involves a lot of rev-changing, stopping and restarting. As they degrade less quickly, they are considered to allow slightly more frequent oil changes. But if your driving is really intense, it's best not to wait too long between oil changes.
Engine oil: Semi-synthetic oils (10w40)
This is the standard grade for classic motorcyclists. It's also the one you'll most often find on special offer! Its ability to lubricate and protect the engine is perfectly suited to daily use, but you should not hesitate to drain it regularly, as it tends to wear out fairly quickly.
mineral oils 15w40
Thicker, it is used more for engines that are already tired, and its viscosity compensates for oil losses. But of course, it wears out faster, so you'll need to increase the frequency of oil changes.
GOOD TO KNOW :
- Below 8,000 rpm, a good semi-synthetic oil is sufficient.
- Above 10,000 rpm, 100% synthetic oil is essential.
OUR BRANDS :
Tonnycat has chosen to offer you the best products in terms of oil and maintenance products.
IPONE, MOTOREX and MOTUL are the 3 best motorcycle/quad oil brands on the market in terms of quality.
FIND THE IDEAL OIL FOR YOUR MACHINE:
Why does motorcycle oil cost more than car oil?
Motorcycle oils represent a smaller production and sales volume than car oils, and their composition is more complex due to the greater number of additives they contain. There are also additional costs, such as lower packaging (1 or 2 liters vs. 5 liters for a car) and the distribution method, which for cars is more akin to supermarkets, whereas motorcyclists prefer smaller, more specialized retailers.
